Intelligence seen as key, since fully protecting oil and gas facilities not possible

The RCMP says the key to effectively guarding the labyrinth of oil and natural gas wells, pipelines and refineries in Alberta, including Suncor's oilsands project, above, is to gather intelligence to prevent attacks before they happen. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

A security expert in Calgary says this week’s shooting attack in Ottawa is a reminder that Alberta’s oil and gas industry makes the province a target-rich environment for would-be extremists.